called the indenture system almost as bad as slavery. Like the slave the indentured labourer was
the property of his master.
There were only two ways of releasing Balasundaram: either by getting the Protector of
Indentured Labourers to cancel his indenture or transfer him to someone else, or by getting
Balasundaram's employer to release him. I called on the latter and said to him: 'I do not want to
proceed against you and get you punished. I think you realize that you have severely beaten the
man. I shall be satisfied if you will transfer the indenture to someone else.' To this he readily
agreed. I next saw the Protector. He also agreed, on condition that I found a new employer.
So I went off in search of an employer. He had to be a European, as no Indians could employ
indentured labour. At that time I knew very few Europeans. I met one of them. He very kindly
agreed to take on Balasundaram. I gratefully acknowledged his kindness. The magistrate
convicted Balasundaram's employer, and recorded that he had undertaken to transfer the
indenture to someone else.
Balasundaram's case reached the ears of every indentured labourer, and I came to be regarded
as their friend. I hailed this connection with delight. A regular stream of indentured labourers
began to pour into my office, and I got the best opportunity of learning their joys and sorrows.
The echoes of Balasundaram's case were heard in far off Madras. Labourers from different parts
of the province, who went to Natal on indenture, came to know of this case through their
indentured brethren.
There was nothing extraordinary in the case itself, but the fact that there was someone in Natal to
espouse their cause and publicly work for them gave the indentured labourers a joyful surprise
and inspired them with hope.
I have said that Balasundaram entered my office, head-gear in hand. There was a peculiar
pathos about the circumstance which also showed our humiliation. I have already narrated the
incident when I was asked to take off my turban. A practice had been forced upon every
indentured labourer and every Indian stranger to take off his head- gear when visiting a
European, whether the head-gear were a cap, a turban or a scarf wrapped round the head. A
salute even with both hands was not sufficient. Balasundaram thought that he should follow the
practice even with me. This was the first case in my experience. I felt humiliated and asked him to
tie up his scarf. He did so, not without a certain hesitation, but I could perceive the pleasure on
his face.
It has always been a mystery to me how men can feel themselves honoured by the humiliation of
their fellow beings.
Chapter 46
THE £ 3 TAX
Balasundaram's case brought me into touch with the indentured Indians. What impelled me,
however, to make a deep study of their condition was the campaign for bringing them under